Rants on Cycling and on Life:
Photos of people and bicycles that pass in front of my camera

4.25.2006

almost as bad as cell phones

iLove my iPodi will admit that I neglect to add new music to it as frequently as i shouldbut iDo love my iPod

the primary use of the iPod is as an auxilary deviceit works on various stereos in my house as well as in my caras tempting as it may be to use the iPod on the bikeseems that tuning out that one sense would leave me one sense short of being safe

not to mention when i ride there are an assortment of things to listen toin addition to the sound of the birds in the trees and the squirrels in the brushthere are the sounds of oncoming hikers, joggers, bikers, and that chance encounter with a deer or a bearso much to hear... much of which should not be missedthere is the sound of the bike as well as the sound of the world around me

there are so many sounds worth hearingthe sound of a stick clicking in the spokesthere is the sound of a slow leakthe sound of mal adjusted limit screws failing to stop a deraileur from going into the rear wheeljust to name a few

as far as people around townthe cell phone is the worsepeople become blind when they talk on the phonethey walk into the street without lookingthey walk into other peoplethey are inefficient when shopping.... I will snake anyone on their cell phone as they meander their way to the register

leave the iPod at homeand wellexist more safely as well as more considerate in publicwhen walking in the park.... let the park entertain youyou can finish that pod cast when you get home

if ya put that device in your ears on a bike... ya might as well loosen the crank arm, headset and saddle... and leave your helment at home...

no extra incentive should come at the price of certain death from having one of the most important senses cut off on the bike... not to diss the hearing impaired community...

but riding with a portable music device, walkman, iPod what not... just is flat out stupid. I'll say it.

On the trainer? no problem... go for it. You may think the tunes get you through but they are a crutch and somethin as joel says... should be left the hell at home...

Connect to the world - don't disconnect... once you disconnect you cease to participate... this is life - enjoy it... Turn on the tunes at home... crank em just before you leave... let the song ride with you in your head... but not blasting in your ears.

Riding with my ipod has I'm sure saved me much anger on my commute home, (I touch my bike all the time no need to worry if me crank arms are loose:), but hearing a dumbass in his rusty bucket screaming smack out his asshole at me.....well I tend too want to punch the M--ther F---er. Seeings I'm already on paper, I need no more trouble and the ipod tunes out the crap so I can just smile and wave with me cheesey grin:)

Iowa and Alaska may be different then the congested East Coasthere in Washington DC on the streets the cars are coming ta get chaand the multi-use paths (bike paths)well... everyone is in their own world on their own agendaseems that ever runner is about to turn back for home right in front of me

come onlook before you button hook

I am a geek that warns as I passunless you have headphonesif you don't want to hear me comingdon't mouth anything at my back after I pass

I understand how music can pull people up that climb or send them sprinting at a METALLICA pacebut I am with G.... it is not a good ideawith only 5 senses... you want to forfiet one?

sure... the occassional treatbut for some it is a religionand wellit zones them out to another world an iWorld

About Me

if you want to know about me all you need to do is check out my BLOG
it is not the same everyday or everyweek
the focus changes and alters with my moods and with the events of the day and the events of my life